Brush seal device having a recessed back plate

Abstract: A brush seal device for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The brush seal device comprises an annular retaining plate having a first side facing the high pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, and an annular back plate having a first side facing the low pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the back plate having an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion. A plurality of bristles are between the second side of the retaining plate and the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate such that they extend inwardly from the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate. The inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate has a recessed surface formed therein to inhibit the plurality of bristles from contacting the inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate.

Description: The present invention relates to brush seal devices for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area, the sealed fluids being gas or liquid, and to an apparatus using said brush seal devices, of the types as described in the preambles of the independent claims. Over the last decade, brush seals have emerged to be a very promising technology for sealing high pressure areas from low pressure areas such as those found in gas turbine engines. Indeed, there is a substantial reduction, e.g., an order of magnitude, in brush seal leakage flow over the present day technology of labyrinth seals, the main disadvantage associated with labyrinth seals being that the clearance of the seal around the shaft tends to increase appreciably over time due to shaft excursions and thermal growth. The resulting increase in parasitic leakage can cause as much as 17 percent loss in power and 7.5 percent increase in specific fuel consumption in the case of engines. Typically, brush seals inhibit the flow of a gas (or liquid) in a stream along a shaft. The gas (or liquid) is sealed, for example, within a machine housing and has a system pressure. The area outside of the sealed machine housing toward which the sealed gas will tend to leak has a discharge pressure, the system pressure being greater than the discharge pressure. A brush seal device and an apparatus using this brush seal device of the above-defined type is described in GB-A-2 021 210. The brush seal comprises a plurality of tightly-packed bristles sandwiched in a space between a pair of axially-spaced annular side-plates. The distance between the annular side-plates is varied from a small distance far away from the circumferential surface of the shaft to be sealed toward a greater distance adjacent to the shaft to be sealed. This variation in the distance between the two plates is calculated such that the space between adjacent bristles is kept constant along the whole length of the bristles. The bristles are adapted to be in contact with both side-plates, even if no pressure differential is applied thereto. GB-A-1 598 926 describes a brush seal sandwiched between a back plate and a retaining plate such that the bristles are supported by the back plate even in the case of zero pressure differential over the seal. The retaining plate has a recess formed in its second side, i.e. in its side facing the low pressure area. The recessed surface is adapted to expose the bristles to the pressure of the high pressure side of the seal. Consequently, the bristles are moved away from the recessed surface as the pressure differential between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the seal increases. While the system pressure acts primarily over the entire free length of the bristles, the discharge pressure acts over the overhang area of the bristles. An imbalance in these two axial forces results in the bristles loading against the back plate with a high mechanical contact force along the length of the bristles. It should be noted that the contact force will also be generated at the interfaces between the bristles by varying degree. Frictional forces thus engendered by the contact force at various interfaces between the bristles and the back plate and between the bristles themselves give rise to bristle hysteresis with any radial movement of the shaft. For example, during a radial excursion of the shaft, the bristles are forced radially outward. Subsequently, when the shaft withdraws, the bristles do not drop back down on the shaft unless the differential between the system pressure and the discharge pressure is decreased to a small value. In fact, even a few tenths of a bar (a few psig) pressure differential across the seal can prevent free radial movement of the bristles. This bristle hysteresis leaves a large gap between the bristles and the shaft, and hence, causes an appreciable increase in leakage along the shaft. Further, the leakage increase is likely to be cumulative every time a shaft excursion takes place in different directions. Another detrimental effect of the above-described mechanical contact force is that it increases the radial stiffness of the bristles. Because the bristles are prevented from moving freely in the radial direction by the contact force, the effective stiffness of the bristles increases with rise in the differential between the system pressure and the discharge pressure. Typically, an order of magnitude increase in bristle stiffness is seen with a differential pressure rise of 4,14 bar (60 psig) from zero level. As a result of this bristle stiffening, the sliding interface between the bristles and the shaft experiences significantly higher contact load at a higher differential pressure for a given radial interference or an applied radial excursion of the shaft. This, in turn, results in accelerated wear of the bristles and degradation of the surface of the shaft. Advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations pointed out in the claims. To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described here, the brush seal device of claim 1 and the apparatus of claim 17 including the brush seal device for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area are provided. In a further development of the invention according to claim 8, the recessed surface formed in the second side of the back plate is contoured to increase in depth toward an inner peripheral edge of the back plate. In an aspect of the invention, the brush seal according to claim 18 and the apparatus according to claim 31 including this brush seal comprise a flexible annular member disposed between the plurality of bristles and the second side of the back plate The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of one side of a shaft and a radial cross-section of a brush seal device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a free body force diagram of the brush seal device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a radial cross-section of a brush seal device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 4(A), 4(B), 4(C), 4(D), 4(E) and 4(F) are cross-sectional views of various contoured profiles of the brush seal back plate of FIG. 3; FIG. 5(A) is a radial cross-section of a brush seal device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5(B) is a frontal view of a flexible annular member of the brush seal device of FIG. 4(A). Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several drawings. A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a brush seal device 100 comprising an annular retaining plate 110 having a first side facing a system pressure P system and a second side opposite the first side, and an annular back plate 120 having a first side facing a discharge pressure P discharge and a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the back plate 120 has an outer peripheral portion 122 and an inner peripheral portion 124, and a plurality of bristles 130 are located between the second side of the retaining plate 110 and the outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120. The bristles 130 can be secured between the second side of the retaining plate 110 and the outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120 by, for example, a weld 140, or other means known in the art, depending on the materials used for the retaining plate 110, back plate 120, and bristles 130. While both the second side of the retaining plate 110 and the outer peripheral portion 122 of the back plate 120 are preferably substantially planar, the inner peripheral portion 124 of the second side of the back plate 120 has a recessed surface 150 formed therein. The recessed surface 150 is preferably substantially planar and, as will be explained in detail below, inhibits the bristles 130 from contacting the inner peripheral portion, 124 of the back plate 120. Preferably, both the retaining plate 110 and the back plate 120 comprise materials that have a high yield strength at high temperatures. For example, the retaining plate 110 and the back plate 120 can comprise a nickel based alloy such as Inconel® manufactured by Inco Alloys International. It should be understood that the composition of the retaining plate 110 and the back plate 120 can be varied depending on the particular application with which the brush seal device 100 is to be used. It should also be understood that, although not shown in FIG. 1, the retaining plate 110 and the back plate 120 can be formed from a single member. Preferably, the retaining plate 110 and back plate 120 are configured such that a distance between an outer peripheral edge of the retaining plate 110 and an inner peripheral edge of the retaining plate 110 is substantially equal to or less than the length of the outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120. Further, the retaining plate 110 and outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120 preferably extend only a small portion of the entire length of the bristles 130. The bristles 130 extend inwardly from the outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120 such that their free ends run against a shaft 20 to thereby seal the system pressure P system from the discharge pressure P discharge along the shaft 20. Further, the bristles 130 are preferably angled relative to respective radii of the retaining plate 110 and back plate 120 so as to have a circumferential component of direction relative to a direction of rotation of the shaft 20. To retain their shape, especially at higher temperatures, the bristles 130 preferably comprise a high temperature nickel based alloy such as Haynes 25® or Haynes 214® manufactured by Haynes International. The bristles 130, however, can comprise other materials to suit a particular application. Operation of the brush seal device 100 of FIG. 1 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2. A pressure differential Δp (not shown) between the system pressure P system and the discharge pressure P discharge results in a total force F total along the free length l of the bristle 130. More specifically, assuming there are N row number of bristle rows and a uniform pressure drop across each of the rows, the load distribution or total force F total exerted on a single one of the bristles 130 by the pressure differential Δp is calculated as follows: F total = (Δp/N row ) x d x l where d is the diameter of the bristle 130 and l , again, is the free length of the bristle 130. In response to the total force F total , a mechanical reaction force F react is exerted by the outer peripheral portion 122 of the second side of the back plate 120 at the bristle root. Until the free end of the bristle contacts the recessed surface 150, the reaction force F react is equal to the total force F total and, hence, the ratio F react /F total is 1.0. However, once the pressure differential Δp between the system pressure P system and the discharge pressure P discharge increases beyond a threshold value, such that the bristle comes in contact with the recessed surface 150, a mechanical contact force F contact is exerted by the recessed surface 150 at the interface between the bristle 130 and the recessed surface 150, thereby decreasing the ratio F react /F total . The above threshold pressure differential at which the bristles 130 begin to contact the recessed surface 150 depends on the particular design, but is typically about 2,07 to 4,83 bar (30-70 psig). As described above, F contact is primarily responsible for producing bristle hysteresis and stiffening effects during radial excursions of the shaft 20. Thus, by minimizing F contact (or maximizing F react ), these effects can be minimized. By increasing the depth h of the recessed surface 150, F contact can be made as low as possible. However, as the depth h of the recessed surface 150 increases, the stresses on the bristle root will also increase. Optimization of the design of the brush seal device 100 for a given set of operating conditions can be accomplished by finite element analysis. Such an analysis can provide a design which achieves the lowest value of F contact without exceeding the allowable bristle stress limit for any particular pressure differential and temperature. Essential parameters for optimization of the design of the brush seal 100 are the depth h of the recessed surface 150 from the second side of the back plate 120, the diameter d of the bristles 130, the number of rows N row of the bristles 130, and the free length l of the bristles 130. It is contemplated that values for these parameters can be varied to suit a particular application. For example, the depth h can be about 0,127 to 3,05 mm, preferably about 0,508 to 1,27 mm (0.005-0.120 inch, preferably about 0.020-0.050 inch), and each of the bristles 130 can have a diameter d of about 0,0508 to 0,508mm, preferably about 0,0508 to 0,254 mm (0.002-0.020 inch, preferably about 0.002-0.010 inch) and a free length l of about 5,08 to 20,32 mm, preferably about 7,62 to 15,24 mm (0.200-0.800 inch, (preferably about 0.300-0.600 inch). Further, the bristles 130 can be arranged into about 10-60 rows (preferably about 20-50 rows) between the second side of the retaining plate 110 and the second side of the back plate 120 with a pack width of the bristles 130 being about 0,508 to 3,81 mm, preferably about 0,635 to 2,54 mm (0.020-0.150 inch, preferably about 0.025-0.100 inch). With regard to the pack width of the bristles 130, it should be appreciated that with an increased pack width, conventional brush seals typically have a pack width of about 0,635 mm (0.025 inch), there will be a reduction in pressure drop across each row of the bristles 130, thereby further increasing the ratio of F react to F total . It is envisioned that the brush seal device 100 of FIG. 1 having the foregoing characteristics can handle pressure differentials of at least 6,9 bar (100 psi), and possibly up to 13,8 bar (200 psi). Thus, the brush seal device 100 would be well suited for use in a wide variety of aircraft engines, compressors, and pumps. A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a brush seal device 200 is provided comprising an annular retaining plate 210 having a first side facing a system pressure P system and a second side opposite the first side, and an annular back plate 220 having a first side facing a discharge pressure P discharge and a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the back plate 220 has an outer peripheral portion 222 and an inner peripheral portion 224. A plurality of bristles 230 are secured at a weld 240 between the second side of the retaining plate 210 and the outer peripheral portion 222 of the second side of the back plate 220. Preferably, the materials used for forming the retaining plate 210, back plate 220, bristles 230, and weld 240 are the same as those used in the first embodiment. Likewise, the dimensions of the retaining plate 210, back plate 220, and bristles 230 are preferably the same as those in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, while both the second side of the retaining plate 210 and the outer peripheral portion 222 of the back plate 220 are preferably substantially planar, the inner peripheral portion 224 of the second side of the back plate 220 has a recessed surface 250 formed therein. However, unlike the recessed surface 150 of the first embodiment, the recessed surface 250 of the second embodiment is contoured to increase in depth toward an inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220. Preferably, the recessed surface 250 is designed to have a contoured profile based on the elastic curve of the bristles 230 at the operating pressure differential thereby maximizing the reaction force F react . Important factors in designing the shape of the recessed surface 250 include the radius of curvature r of the back plate at the bristle root and the depth h of the recessed surface 250 at the inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220. It should be understood that the shape of the recessed surface 250 between the bristle root and the inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220 can be optimized using finite element analysis. Preferably, the radius of curvature r is chosen such that the last row of bristles does not touch the recessed surface 250 for low pressure differentials, e.g., 2,07 to 3,45 bar (30-50 psig). As the pressure differential increases, however, the region of contact between the bristles 230 and the recessed surface 250 will gradually increase toward the inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220, thereby distributing the root reaction force F react over a finite region. FIGS. 4(A), 4(B), and 4(C) illustrate several possible designs for the recessed surface 250. As shown by these designs, both the radius of curvature r of the contour at the bristle roots and the depth h of the recessed surface 250 at the inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220 can vary. For example, the radius of curvature r of the contour at the bristle roots can vary between 0 to 51 mm (0-2 inches), and the depth h of the recessed surface 250 at the inner peripheral edge of the back plate 220 can vary from 0,127 to 3,048 mm (0.005-0.120 inch). It should be noted that the depth h is preferably chosen such that the bristles 230 barely touch the recessed surface 250 at operating pressure differential, thereby reducing F contact to almost zero level. By contouring the recessed surface 250 in this manner, reaction forces at the roots of the bristles 230 are not concentrated at a single point, but are spread over a finite region of the bristles, thereby reducing the maximum stress. Thus, the brush seal device 200 can accommodate higher pressure differentials than the first embodiment. Some other possible designs for the recessed surface 250 are shown in FIGS. 4(D), 4(E) and 4(F). A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B). As shown in FIG. 5(A), a brush seal device 300 is provided comprising an annular retaining plate 310 having a first side facing a system pressure P system and a second side opposite the first side, and an annular back plate 320 having a first side facing a discharge pressure P discharge and a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the back plate 320 has an outer peripheral portion 322 and an inner peripheral portion 324. A plurality of bristles 330 are secured at a weld 340 between the second side of the retaining plate 310 and the outer peripheral portion 322 of the second side of the back plate 320. Preferably, the materials used for forming the retaining plate 310, back plate 320, bristles 330, and weld 340 are the same as those used in the first and second embodiments. Likewise, the dimensions of the retaining plate 300, back plate 320, and bristles 330 are preferably the same as those in the first and second embodiments. As in the first embodiment, the inner peripheral portion 324 of the second side of the back plate 320 has a substantially planar recessed surface 350 formed therein. However, unlike the first embodiment, the brush seal device 300 of FIG. 5(A) further comprises a flexible annular member 360 disposed between the plurality of bristles 330 and the second side of the back plate 320. Preferably, the flexible annular member 360 comprises a material that has a high yield strength at high temperatures such as Inconel ® or other nickel based alloy. Again, it should be understood that the composition of flexible annular member 360 can be varied depending on the particular application with which the brush seal device 300 is to be used. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the flexible annular member 360 has a plurality of slots 362 formed therein to give the flexible annular member 360 increased flexibility. The slots 362 can extend at angles β relative to respective radii of the flexible annular. member 360, and can have a sense either opposite to or the same as that of the bristle angle a. Preferably, however, the slots 362 extend along the respective radii of the flexible annular member 362. As explained above with regard to the first embodiment, as the depth h of the recessed surface 350 is increased to reduce the contact force F contact on the bristles 130, the stresses on the bristle roots will also increase. However, it should be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the flexible annular member 360 will alleviate this stress concentration at the bristle roots, and hence, augment the pressure capabilities of the brush seal device 300 by distributing the root reaction force F react over a finite area. Further, while still allowing almost free axial movement of the bristles 330 as in the first embodiment, the flexible annular member 360 also appreciably reduces leakage of the brush seal device 300 by blocking most of the leakage through the bristles 330. It should be appreciated that flow through the tip region of the bristles 330 will remain unhindered, thereby ensuring a beneficial cooling flow at the interface between the bristles 330 and the shaft 20. For a given design, the thickness t of the flexible annular member 360, the number of slots n formed in the flexible annular member 360, and the slot angle β can be varied to control the reaction force F react , and hence, the root stress. The flexible member 360 can be designed with finite element analysis. For example, the flexible annular member 360 can have a thickness t of about 0,0508 to 1,016 mm, preferably 0,1524 to 0,254 mm (0.002-0.040 inch, preferably 0.006-0.010 inch), the number of slots n can be about 5-60, and the slot angle β can be between about ±70 degrees (preferably 0 degrees). It should be appreciated that, with this design, the brush seal device 300 is particularly suitable for high pressure differential applications. It should be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides for a brush seal device having improved characteristics over conventional designs. In particular, the brush seal device of the present invention reduces the bristle hysteresis and stiffening effects associated with convention brush seals, thereby extending the life of the device and improving its pressure sealing capabilities. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A brush seal device (100,200,300) for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area, the brush seal device comprising: an annular retaining plate (110,210,310) having a first side facing the high pressure area, and a second side opposite the first side; an annular back plate (120,220,320) having a first side facing the low pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the back plate having an outer peripheral portion (122,222,322) and an inner peripheral portion (124,224,324), the inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate having a recessed surface (150,250,350) formed therein extending from an inner peripheral edge of the back plate outwardly to the outer peripheral portion; and a plurality of bristles (130,230,330) between the second side of the retaining plate and the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate, the plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate; characterized in that the bristles (130,230,330) are adapted to come in contact with the recessed surface (150,250,350) once the pressure differential (ΔP) between the high pressure (P system ) and the low pressure (P discharge ) increases beyond a threshold value, and in that the depth (h) of the recessed surface (150,250,350) is calculated in accordance with the diameter (d), the free length (I) and the number of rows (N) of the bristles (130,230,330) such that the mechanical contact force (F contact ) exerted onto the bristles (130,230,330) in contact with the recessed surface (150,250,350) is minimized to minimize bristle hysteresis and stiffening effects without exceeding the allowable bristle stress limit. The brush seal device of claim 1, wherein the recessed surface (150,250,350) has a depth (h) of about 0.127 to 3.048 mm (0.005 to 0.120 inch) from the second side of the back plate (120,220,320) and each of the plurality of bristles (130,230,330) has a diameter of about 0.0508 to 0.508 mm (0.002 to 0.020 inch), the plurality of bristles being arranged into about 10-60 rows between the second side of the retaining plate (110,210,310) and the second side of the back plate with a pack width of the plurality of bristles being about 0.508 to 3.81 mm (0.020 to 0.150 inch) each of the plurality of bristles having a free length of about 5.08 to 20.32 mm (0.200 to 0.800 inch), and wherein the recessed surface is configured to create a reaction force upon the plurality of bristles in a first direction when a pressure differential between the high pressure area and the low pressure area exerts a total force on the plurality of bristles in a second direction opposite the first direction. The brush seal device of claim 2, wherein the reaction force is about 50-100% of the total force. The brush seal device of claim 1, wherein the recessed surface (150,250,350) has a depth (h) of about 0.127 to 3.048 mm (0.005 to 0.120 inch) from the second side of the back plate (120,220,320). The brush seal device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bristles (130,230,330) has a diameter of about 0.0508 to 0.508 mm (0.002 to 0.020 inch), the plurality of bristles being arranged into about 10-60 rows between the second side of the retaining plate (110,210,310) and the second side of the back plate (120,220,320) with a pack width of the plurality of bristles being about 0.508 to 3.81 mm (0.020 to 0.150 inch). The brush seal device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bristles (130,230,330) has a free length of about 5.08 to 20.32 mm (0.200 to 0.800 inch). The brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recessed surface (150,350) is substantially planar. The brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recessed surface (250) is contoured to increase in depth (h) toward an inner peripheral edge of the back plate (220). The brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a flexible annular member (360) disposed between the plurality of bristles (330) and the second side of the back plate (320), said flexible annular member (360) being designed so as to control the mechanical force exerted onto the bristles. The brush seal device of claim 9, wherein the flexible annular member (360) has a plurality of slots (362) formed therein. The brush seal device of claim 10, wherein the slots (362) extend at angles between about ±70 degrees relative to respective radii of the flexible annular member (360). The brush seal device of claim 10, wherein the slots (362) extend along respective radii of the flexible annular member (360). The brush seal device of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the flexible annular member (360) has a thickness of about 0.0508 to 1.016 mm (0.002 to 0.040 inch). The brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second side of the retaining plate (110,210,310) is substantially planar. The brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an outer peripheral diameter of the recessed surface (150,250,350) is no greater than the inside diameter of the retaining plate (110,210,310). A brush seal device of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the annular back plate (120,220,320) has an inside diameter less than the inside diameter of the annular retaining plate (110,210,310). An apparatus having a high pressure area and a low pressure area, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable shaft (20); and a brush seal device (100,200,300) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 for sealing the high pressure area from the low pressure area along the rotatable shaft (20). A brush seal device (300) for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area, the brush seal device comprising: an annular retaining plate (310) having a first side facing the high pressure area and a second side opposite the first side; an annular back plate (320) having a first side facing the low pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the back plate having an outer peripheral portion (322) and an inner peripheral portion (324), the inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate having a recessed surface (350) formed therein extending from an inner peripheral edge of the back plate outwardly to the outer peripheral portion; and a plurality of bristles (330) between the second side of the retaining plate and the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate, the plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate; characterized in that a flexible annular member (360) is disposed between the plurality of bristles (330) and the second side of the back plate (320), said flexible annular member (360) being designed so as to control the mechanical force exerted onto the bristles. The brush seal device of claim 18, wherein the recessed surface (350) is configured to create a reaction force upon the plurality of bristles (330) in a first direction when a pressure differential between the high pressure area and the low pressure area exerts a total force on the plurality of bristles in a second direction opposite the first direction. The brush seal device of claim 19, wherein the reaction force is about 50-100% of the total force. The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the recessed surface (350) is substantially planar. The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the recessed surface (350) has a depth of about 0.127 to 3.048 mm (0.005 to 0.120 inch) from the second side of the back plate (320). The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein each of the plurality of bristles (330) has a diameter of about 0.0508 to 0.508 mm (0.002 to 0.020 inch), the plurality of bristles being arranged into about 10-60 rows between the second side of the retaining plate (310) and the second side of the back plate (320) with a pack width of the plurality of bristles being about 0.508 to 3.81 mm (0.020 to 0.150 inch). The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein each of the plurality of bristles (330) has a free length of about 5.08 to 20.32 mm (0.200 to 0.800 inch). The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the flexible annular member (360) has a plurality of slots (362) formed therein. The brush seal device of claim 25, wherein the slots (362) extend at angles between about ±70 degrees relative to respective radii of the flexible annular member (360). The brush seal device of claim 25, wherein the slots (362) extend along respective radii of the flexible annular member (360). The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein the flexible annular member (360) has a thickness of about 0.0508 to 1.016 mm (0.002 to 0.040 inch). The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein the second side of the retaining plate (310) is substantially planar. The brush seal device of any one of claims 18 to 29, wherein an outer peripheral diameter of the recessed surface (350) is no greater than an inside diameter of the retaining plate (310). An apparatus having a high pressure area and a low pressure area, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable shaft (20); and a brush seal device (300) according to any one of claims 18 to 30 for sealing the high pressure area from the low pressure area along the rotatable shaft (20).

Inventors: BASU PRITHWISH, BASU, PRITHWISH
Applicants: SEALOL, EG&G SEALOL, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F16J15
IPC codes: F16J15, F02C7